Quantcast
Blogs

Quinn: I know for a fact Rafa wants to stay at Newcastle

|
Image for Quinn: I know for a fact Rafa wants to stay at Newcastle

Former Newcastle United great Micky Quinn has delivered his verdict on Rafael Benitez’s chances of staying at the club beyond the end of the season.

Sky Sports report that the Spaniard’s current deal at St James’ Park is up at the end of the season, and there has been no agreement reached on an extension.

However, Quinn feels that Benitez does want to remain on Tyneside: “Look, I know for a fact that Rafa wants to be at Newcastle long term,” he wrote on a Chronicle Q & A [13:16]. “He didn’t agree to come to the club back in March 2016 just to stay for three years or so – he wanted a long-term project.

“The only way I can see Rafa staying is if [Mike] Ashley allows him to spend in January, bring in genuine quality, and if the club makes a real bid to start pushing up the table and build. f the club convince Rafa he will be given the resources to allow Newcastle to reach their potential, I think he’ll stay – but that’s a big, big if unfortunately.”

OPINION

This is a nice little summary of the situation by the former Newcastle centre forward. It does seem clear that Benitez is enamoured with the club and the city, just not the hierarchy. If he were to be given certain promises then it’s likely that he would agree to a contract extension. However, like Quinn says, it’s extremely doubtful that Ashley will give him the reassurances that he needs. The Magpies owner didn’t back Benitez sufficiently in the summer transfer window, so why would he do so now? The only reason would be if Benitez gives him an ultimatum, something that seems slightly out of character for the Spaniard. Benitez sees the potential with Newcastle but he also knows that there is one person stopping that potential from being fulfilled. Until he feels like that is going to change then his future at St James’ Park will always remain murky. All Newcastle fans can do is hope that he does sign on the dotted line.

Share this article